Two men were arrested Thursday morning after police executing a search warrant discovered a marijuana grow operation inside a home in northeast Cape Coral, according to police reports.
Omar Dominguez Esparza, 38, of 4716 E. Ninth Court, Hialeah, and Mandiel Espinosa, 40, of 4955 N.W. 199 St., each were charged with trafficking of marijuana in excess of 25 pounds or 300 plants or more and criminal attempt to solicit or conspire.
Police executing the warrant at 1:30 a.m. at 3219 N.E. 13th Court reported that the home smelled of fresh marijuana. Inside they found soil, 60 marijuana root systems and 88.5 pounds of marijuana, according to reports.
Throughout the residence, investigators found buckets, water pumps, large garbage cans used to contain water, fans, plant nutrients and fertilizers. All of the home except for the kitchen, garage and one bedroom were covered with insulation and the windows were covered with drywall.
Police reports state that Esparza was recognized as the owner of the home and Espinosa has been paying the electric bill since Feb. 24. Esparza paid the electric bill from Sept. 24, 2007, to Feb. 24, according to LCEC records obtained via subpoena.